Many previously unpublished still images, including team groups through the years.

Relive the glory days of the ex-riders mentioned above and many others, including stars such as Martyn Piddock, Graham Miles, Graham Banks, Ross Gilbertson, Steve Koppe, Mike Ferreira, etc.

If you were a supporter of Canterbury Crusaders between 1968 and their closure at the end of 1987 or a visitor to the sadly defunct Kent track, this nostalgic double-disc DVD will evoke many fond memories to treasure forever.

HOW TO ORDER

You can order this double-disc DVD direct from Retro Speedway for £16 (post-free in the UK).

Phone our Credit/Debit Card Hotline on 01708 734 502.

Order online here and now by just clicking the button below and proceeding to the checkout area where you can complete payment via the secure PayPal service...

Paul HubbardI’ve just watched Disc 1 of The History of Canterbury and would highly recommend it to any speedway fan regardless of what team you support. Thank you, Retro, for putting this together.

Andrew SturmerCanterbury Speedway DVD arrived today in Perth, Oz, the world’s most isolated state capital! Great work and excellent interviews with all the riders. Les Rumsey is very articulate and comes across really well, as do all the riders. Happy memories of spectating at Kingsmead!

Ian Hoskins (son of Canterbury’s founding promoter Johnnie Hoskins)I have now seen Canterbury DVD and congratulate you on a most informative production. I enjoyed it considerably. Well done.

Steve DeenReally enjoyed your History of Canterbury Speedway DVD.

Phil DilleyDelivery of my DVD, History of Canterbury Speedway, was very quick.Thanks guys, started to watch and what I’ve seen so far is blooming good.

Lynne MorleyJust finished watching the Canterbury DVD. Loved it. Cried my eyes out at the end – thanks. Now I will always have a DVD of my dad, but where did you find that picture of me and Wally Mawdsley presenting Johnnie Hoskins with his birthday cake!

Sharron HubbardWell done on the DVD. I've got three-quarters through disc 1 and sobbed my heart out watching and listening to Uncle Ted, so I can't watch anymore at the moment. Thanks for the memories.

Ian GloverJust finished watching my copy of the History of Canterbury DVD and the verdict is: well done, a great piece of work. You have made a lot of Crusaders fans very happy. Plenty of praise coming in my end and well deserved.

LEAGUE speedway returns to 'The Garden of England' this summer with the new 'Kent Kings' team operating out of Sittingbourne Greyhound Stadium. Those wishing to brush up on the history of speedway in the county should check out The History of Canterbury Speedway, a DVD from the Retro Speedway company.

The four-hour film tells the complete story of the Canterbury Crusaders (now there's a better name for a speedway team!) from their birth in 1968 right through to their demise in 1987. The story is told through interviews, archive footage and a great selection of colour and monochrome pictures. A well produced package that maintains the high standards we've come to expect from Retro.Canterbury played a significant part in the sport's history, competing in the first ever British League Division II match at Belle Vue Colts on 18th May 1968. They lost to the eventual champions, but both league and club were up and running.

The club was formed by Johnnie Hoskins, the man oft-credited with inventing the sport more than forty years earlier. By the time he introduced the sport to the Cathedral city he was a remarkably vibrant 76 year old. Despite his advanced years, he continued to play a part in the running of the club for many years, passing away during the 1986-87 close season. There is video footage on this DVD of the minute's silence that was held for him before the first meeting of that final campaign.

As is normal for these club based DVDs, there are so many great tales related by those who were involved over the years. One of the early highlights is the interview with Graeme Smith. He speaks passionately about the allegations of race throwing that were made against him. His denial is very convincing. He's also keen to stress just how damaging those allegations proved to be.

No history of Canterbury would seem complete without hearing the thoughts of club legend Barney Kennett. Thankfully Barney is present and correct - talking us through his lengthy service in the cross-sworded body colour. Other big club favourites are also interviewed - Dave Mullett, Les Rumsey, Ted Hubbard and Denzil Kent amongst them.

Les admits that he retired far too early, mainly due to a pay dispute with Wally Mawdsley. Denzil Kent recalls the time he took out Steve Lawson at Blantyre and the years he spent living with the Loram family. Ted (with pet parrot Oscar chatting away in the background) reflects on the great sadness he felt when Graham Banks was killed in a grasstrack crash in 1979. Mullett's contribution is equally moving, talking candidly about the post-retirement depression that led to some desperate times.

You can see that this DVD is more than just a report of what happened on the track, the personal tales are equally important.

The Crusaders' biggest moment was their National League title win in 1978. We're able to see that team in action thanks to some black and white cine footage of their meeting against Scunthorpe. Unfortunately there were few Crusaders' meetings filmed until the home video revolution of the 80s.

The DVD really comes into its own when it reaches the last few years of the club's existence. Many of the meetings were covered by the video companies of the time and excellent use is made of that footage. Not only do we get to see the Crusaders of the 80s in action, there's also a chance to see other National League legends once more - the likes of Steve McDermott, David Gagen, Billy Burton and Steve Wilcock are on here, battling with the home men around the tight Kingsmead circuit.

The undoubted highlight of the VHS footage is Robert Henry's amazing reaction to being excluded from a heat in the 1984 Crusaders v Fen Tigers match. It really has to be seen to be believed, particular the sight of spectators having to physically restrain him in order to protect the referee.

There is also footage from the last meeting ever staged at the track - on the very last day of the 1987 season when the Crusaders took on the Rye House Rockets. Appropriately David Mullett was to the fore, posting a 12 point maximum around a track he had ridden thousands of laps around previously.

The DVD concludes with some of the old favourites bringing us up to date with their lives post-speedway. We also get a glimpse into Ted Hubbard's garage where racejackets and old bikes are permanent reminders of his life on the shale.

An entertaining, information and uplifting DVD and a fitting tribute to all those who were ever associated with The Canterbury Crusaders.